Surveillance data quality audit in three health facilities in the Bongo district, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: The Recent shortage of Tuberculosis (TB) drugs and cartridges in the Upper East Region due to inadequate resource allocation could be linked to compromised data quality, which hinders the Ghana Health Service from delivering its mandate of providing and prudently managing comprehensive and accessible health services in Ghana. To minimize the negative impact of poor data quality, this data quality audit was conducted in the Bongo District to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the available disease surveillance system. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a pre-designed interview guide was used to collect data from surveillance officers, laboratory officers, facility heads, and clinicians at Bongo District Hospital, Anafobiisi Health Center, and Dua Health Center in the Bongo District. Document reviews and direct observations were also conducted. SWOT analysis was performed for the individual facilities and a composite analysis for the three facilities combined. The findings are presented in tables and text. Results: The strengths included timely reporting, availability of trained staff, and availability of case forms. Weaknesses, such as the non-display of trendlines for immediately reportable diseases (IDRs), district spot maps, and a list of national notifiable diseases, persisted. Opportunities included supervisory visits and feedback on the final diagnosis from laboratories. Threats included laboratories not equipped to identify most reportable diseases, inadequate supplies for reportable diseases, and insufficient resources for specimen and personnel transport. Conclusion: The identified strengths and opportunities comprised timely reporting and external feedback to enhance the existing surveillance system, whereas weaknesses and threats persisted in resource inadequacies. We therefore recommend a timely and constant supply of logistics for smooth reporting.